The brighter the fruits and veggies, the better they are at fighting cancer. It's the phytochemical compounds -- these give produce its color -- that help the immune system block cancer-causing substances from cycling through our bodies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Produce for Better Health Foundation say we should eat nine to 11 servings of vegetables and fruits daily. Taking supplements is not enough -- we need the complex interplay of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

These are the colors we should include in our diet each day:

The one constant thing that gives people fighting cancer hope is the continued support of friends and family. Phone calls, emails, a surprise or planned visit at the door that has a big hug on the other side, a held hand over coffee or tea, or sitting patiently by their side as they go in for treatments. When that support falls by the wayside, it makes the determination to fight this disease or any other less worth the effort. In my humble opinion as someone fighting cancer, we sometimes fight harder to overcome disease for others more than ourselves. Because it is in their caring and the will in their eyes that gives us a much brighter hope than we find in ourselves. It is the lack of support or caring that sets off an internal depression that makes it ten times harder to find the will to fight. People seem to find it easier to hug a tree than a human. Try to imagine if you will sitting in a house alone and thinking about a disease that can run rampant through your body. It is hard to imagine and something that we do not want to think about. Yet many many people face that struggle every day of their lives.

So if you haven't reached out to someone you know, a neighbor, a friend, someone in your church or where you work, or even a family member that is struggling with cancer or any other disease, then find it in your heart to do so. It will make a difference. And if you have reached out to someone once or even twice, know that once is not enough and twice is not enough. No matter how much you think you are being a nuisance, that constant reminder of love and support is 95 percent of your friend's battle. The old saying "You never know who your true friends are until you go through a crisis and see who stands by our side" is very very true. So go stand by someone's side today, tomorrow, and for many days to come to offer support and encourage strength until their fight is successful. Even a phone call goes a long long way.

For those of you who stay in touch with me by phone and emails and that come knocking on my door in this time of need, I thank you very much for giving me the strength and will to survive.

She's cute and spunky and full of life. She's Miss Melanoma, and her mission is simple: to raise awareness about skin cancer. Her slogan -- Attitude is everything. You're living with melanoma, not dying from it -- sums up this survivor girl, also known as Lori Lee, whose main goal is to get a Surgeon General's warning in every tanning bed salon window.

Think about this:

Miss Melanoma has a website. It's a spot for readers to learn, explore, RANT, even curse at cancer. "We won't censor your thoughts," she writes. "And we promise someone here will get exactly what you're saying."

The site features news, articles, artwork, shopping, and Miss Melanoma's personal blog, which is simply captivating. And quite shocking too.

Miss Melanoma, who learned in 2005 that a mole on her right foot was the absolute worst form of skin cancer, has endured the amputation of part of this same foot and aggressive treatment for a disease that began spreading up her leg and into her lymph nodes. And now, right now, Lori Lee is awaiting news from her surgeon about whether or not a likely cancerous lymph node deep in her pelvis can be surgically removed.

"Is it weird what a relief it is to be fighting cancer again?" she blogs. "It's something only a cancer survivor can understand, I think. You just don't know until you've been there. It's the new abnormal, people. Sitting around waiting for it to return when every doc you see tells you it's most likely coming back will drive you up the walls. Knowing that it's here and it's really just one lymph node and that we can treat it, that's a relief. I know. I can't explain it."

I urge you to think some more about Miss Melanoma, visit her website, her blog, and even send her your warm wishes as she continues living -- not dying -- from cancer.

John Ondrasik, the man and musician behind the band Five for Fighting, has released a new album and a new website that just happens to benefit the Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 3-day, 60-mile walk sponsored by Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Think about this:

Ondrasik's new album, "Two Lights," features a song called "World" which is in heavy rotation on pop radio stations across the country. This single is the inspiration for Ondrasik's new website, What Kind of World Do You Want -- the first video community that gives back by allowing visitors a chance to make a difference.

This is how it works: reveal what kind of world you want and help raise money for charity by watching videos or creating and uploading a video of yourself, your friends, or your family. In your video, answer the question What Kind of World Do You Want? and then choose which charity you wish to help fund.

In addition to the Breast Cancer 3-Day, selected charities include the Fisher House, Save the Children, Autism Speaks, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, and NY Police and Fire Widows & Children. Video clips describing each charity, a message from Ondrasik, and a video of the song "World," are all featured on the site.

The YSC produces a variety of educational materials which provide information on breast cancer in young women and the issues relevant to this population. Brochures: Changing the Face of Breast Cancer: Provides an overview of the YSC and its programs and outlines how, through Action, Advocacy and Awareness, the YSC works to change the face of breast cancer and increase the quality and quantity of life for all young women affected by breast cancer. Spanish version also available. YSC Educational Brochure -- "What Every Young Woman Needs to Know about Breast Cancer": Offers important information on young women and breast cancer including statistics and what a young woman should do if she feels a lump. This brochure is a resource for all young women and the members of the medical community who serve them. Spanish version also available. YSC ResourceLink Brochure -- Provides an overview of YSC's ResourceLink program, which provides peer support, information and resources to young women affected by breast cancer, their family and friends and health care professionals. Fact Sheets: YSC Fact Sheets provide basic and important information on young women and breast cancer and highlights some of the most critical issues affecting this population. The Fact Sheets give introductions to specific issues, answer the most common questions, and provide resources for further information. Fact Sheet Topics: Hereditary Breast Cancer Inflammatory Breast Cancer Young Women and Breast Cancer

DVDs/Videos:

YSC DVDs/videos are appropriate for young women at any stage of diagnosis, including those who are at increased risk but who have not been diagnosed with the disease, as well as their family members and caregivers. Medical professionals will find them informative and supportive and may want to use them as a resource for your patients and colleagues as well as place them in your medical center's resource libraries.

The Beautiful 8: Learning To Live with Advanced Breast Cancer

The YSC's newest educational DVD presents an intimate discussion among eight young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Join them on this journey filled with hope, fear, laughter, anxiety and determination to live life to the fullest. To order a copy, please send your full name and address to YWABC@youngsurvival.org or call 877-YSC-1011.

Fighting for Our Future

"Fighting for Our Future" is the only comprehensive survival guide for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors, and caregivers. The Lifetime Television original documentary of the same name chronicles the lives of three young women with breast cancer and how they deal with issues such as dating and sexuality; fertility and pregnancy concerns; and mortality at a young age. It also chronicles the formation of the YSC and the movement behind young women and breast cancer.

This video also has a companion book entitled Fighting For Our Future.

You Are Not Alone

The YSC's educational video is an intimate conversation with six young women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. The companion resource guide, published in collaboration with the New York/Bronx division of the American Cancer Society, provides support, education, and hope for young women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Please note: a limited number of VHS tapes are available; contact info@youngsurvival.org for information.

Breast Cancer Legacy

"Breast Cancer Legacy" focuses on the role that genetics and family history play in young women affected by breast cancer. The documentary tells the story of four young women and their families while illustrating the psychological, medical, ethical and interpersonal issues these women face as they confront their family histories of cancer and make life-altering decisions about their futures.

In addition to the film, the YSC has created a fact sheet on hereditary breast cancer in conjunction with FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered,a non profit organization focused on education of risk and family history of breast cancer.

Publications

Fighting for Our Future

The companion book to the film "Fighting For Our Future" is available from the YSC and in bookstores. "Fighting for Our Future" is the only comprehensive survival guide for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors, and caregivers. The Lifetime Television original documentary of the same name chronicles the lives of young women with breast cancer and how they deal with issues such as dating and sexuality; fertility and pregnancy concerns; and mortality at a young age.

Young Perspective Newsletter

Our informative newsletter contains updates on how the YSC is carrying out its mission of improving the quality and quantity of life for young women affected by breast cancer through action, advocacy and awareness.

It could be the cure for the common hospital gown -- you know, the faded, ultra-thin gowns with the revealing and drafty designs. If only hospital buyers could fork over a few extra bucks, we could all lounge in our hospital beds in The Original Healing Threads -- a stylish alternative to standard-issue hospital attire.

Cancer patient Peg Feodoroff was thinking of the traditional humiliating hospital gown in the spring of 2003 while she was undergoing treatment for stage 3 melanoma and her sister, Claire, was undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4 metastatic colon cancer.

Feodoroff's thoughts led to an idea. And so she recruited Claire and another sister, Patty, and together the three sisters crafted a machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, StainSmart garment with an Asian-inspired look and special features -- long, wide sleeves that roll up for tests, hidden panels easily accessed for bandage changing, inner pockets to hold treatment and drainage bags, and easy-to-use buttons, fasteners, and ties. Breakaway pants and robes and also part of the The Original Healing Threads collection.

A portion of The Original Healing Threads profits go to creating Claire's Foundation, a group supporting single mothers fighting terminal illnesses, in honor of Claire, who lost her battle with cancer just one year ago.

Don't wait for your local hospitals to buy into this novel idea. Buy one on-line for yourself or a loved one. Prices range from $44 to $120.

Tomato and broccoli are known for their cancer fighting qualities. In a study published in the January 15th issue of Cancer Research, it showed that the tomato/broccoli combination outperformed all other diets in shrinking prostate tumors in animals.

The research suggested that older men with slow-growing prostate cancer who have chosen the watchful waiting over chemotherapy and radiation should seriously consider altering their diets to include more tomatoes and broccoli.

To get the desired effects a 55 year old man concerned about prostate health should consume daily:

• 1.4 cups of raw broccoli and 2.5 cups of fresh tomato
• or 1 cup of tomato sauce
• or 1/2 cup of tomato paste

The researchers also said that eating the whole tomatoes is always better than taking a lycopene supplement and cooked tomatoes may be better than raw tomatoes.

I don't think any of us can go wrong by adding more tomatoes and broccoli to our diets!

The cost of drugs to treat cancer can be very expensive. If you do not have good medical insurance it could prove disastrous for you and your family.

I read an article in Cure Magazine last night called Help for Patients. In this article it provided information on assistance programs. It also mentioned that many patient assistance programs will require proof of income, social security income, interest and retirement to prove financial burden and to meet income requirements of the programs.

Patients interested in enrolling in an assistance program can start by doing some research on the organizations listed below:

• Amgen Reimbursement Connection: 800-272-9376 www.amgen.com/patients/assistance.html
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation: 800-736-0003 www.bmspaf.org
• CancerCare: 800-813-4673 www.cancercare.org
• GlaxoSmithKline's Commitment to Access: 866-865-6491 www.commitmenttoaccess.gsk.com
• Genentech's Single Point of Contact: 888-249-4918 www.spoconline.com
• Lilly Cares: 800-545-9662 www.lillycares.com
• Partnership in Prescription Assistance: 888-477-2669 www.pparx.org
• Patient Advocate Foundation: 866-512-3861 www.copays.org
• Pfizer's FirstRESOURCE: 877-744-5675 www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com
• RxAssist and Rx Outreach Patient Assistance Programs: www.rxassist.org
• RxHope: 877-979-4673 www.rxhope.com
• Sanofi-Aventis's PACT plus: 800-996-6626
• Schering-Plough's Commitment to Care Program: 800-51-7157 www.schering-plough.com
• Together Rx Access: 800-444-4106 www.togetherrxaccess.com

I went out to lunch with my husband and kids yesterday. Sitting right behind us in the restaurant was a woman wearing a white hat, worn to mask an obvious bald head. My two little boys kept watching this woman, my littlest turning in his seat to get the best possible view. These boys, ages five and three, were not looking at this woman because a bald head is an odd sight in a public venue. They were looking because, to them, a bald head is familiar. And I think they were sizing up this woman, recalling what I once cleverly hid -- my own bald head.

We all noticed the woman in her white hat. But we handled our observations differently. My husband chose to focus on the task at hand -- eating. My boys chose to stare. I chose to contemplate.

I contemplated talking to this woman. I always have this urge -- to talk with others I suspect are fighting cancer -- and I always wonder if it's appropriate to approach strangers to discuss such a personal topic. Do I have a free pass to enter another's cancer world because I myself have membership in the same world? Perhaps. Perhaps not. So when faced with a possible cancer survivor -- marked mostly by a bald head -- I usually hesitate, contemplate, and then do nothing other than quietly consider what life might be like for the person who faces me.

Maybe I lack courage and should find a way to connect with these strangers. It may do us all a bit of good. Maybe courage has nothing to do with it. Maybe I refrain from conversation out of respect for each person's privacy. I am not convinced either way.

For now, I think I'll stick with what works, what feels safe -- observation and contemplation. And maybe next time I'm in a restaurant and notice someone strikingly familiar, I'll take a stab at my husband's approach -- just simply eating.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation wants help fighting breast cancer. So forget about fighting crowds this holiday season -- help fight cancer instead.

The Komen Marketplace is offering two specially designed holiday greeting cards this year, available for purchase on-line through December 8.

Prices for cards, that can be personalized with an individual name, a company name, and a special message, range depending on the card. One option costs $1.30 to $1.40 per card, plus nominal printing fees. Another option costs $5.00 per card, with no printing fees. For this option, The Komen Foundation will also print envelopes with mailing and return addresses. They will even stamp envelopes and drop the cards in the mail too.

Fifty to 100 percent of sales will benefit the fight against breast cancer. And 100 percent of the cards will spread hope and promise through messages like this -- The best gifts are wrapped in the joy we give to others. Happy Holidays. This card has been given to you as a special tribute in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

I remember thinking when my grandma was a spunky 80-year-old -- still going to aerobics classes in her purple tights -- that it must be sad to be such an age when so many friends and acquaintances are falling ill and passing away. My grandma was always one to care for others, call on others, pray for others -- and often she seemed to be the only one in her circle who was thriving. Somehow, she took it all in stride and continued baking and gardening and sewing and living strong until her own death at the age of 86 -- when she left her remaining friends and acquaintances wondering if their own time on Earth was approaching a quick end. At the time, I thought this loss of friends was merely a side effect of aging. It didn't seem to concern me at my own young age of 30. I didn't really know any 30-year-olds who were dying. And I didn't predict anyone my age would be dying until I was closer to the age of 80. How wrong I was.

I am now 36 years old. And I know many women my age who have died -- most of them because of breast cancer, the same disease I have been fighting for nearly two years. So it's not only sad to me that people my age are dying, it's also quite personal and frightening -- for it could easily me in the same predicament. So I feel vulnerable -- so many years earlier than I imagined.

I think I know how my grandma must have felt when her loved ones were leaving her. And I think I will take her same approach to coping with this unfortunate fact of life. Although I couldn't possibly bake and garden and sew like she did, I can keep busy with my own hobbies and interests. And I can continue living strong until my own death -- which hopefully won't occur until after I've made my appearance in purple tights. About 50 years from now.

The power of positivity is subjective when it comes to cancer survival. There are those who argue that keeping up a positive attitude puts too much pressure on cancer patients. I think it depends on who you are at the time of cancer diagnosis, and what your individual personality style is in facing adversity, that is far more relevant to being a survivor.

Last Wednesday, when the news broke that Farrah Fawcett had been diagnosed with cancer, she asked that her privacy be respected. As is the case with most celebrities, it was not likely to happen. We have seen almost constant coverage in the details of her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the paparazzi have captured in photographs her every movement.

To help promote Ford and Ford dealers Warriors in Pink campaign to fight breast cancer, the television cast of Grey's Anatomy Seattle Grace Hospital Derek Shepherd, Preston Burke, George O'Malley, Alex Karev, Richard Webber, Callie Torres, Cristina Yang, Miranda Bailey and Addison Shepherd have agreed to raise awareness by appearing in celebrity ads wearing Warrior In Pink clothing.

"We recognize the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. We wholeheartedly support breast cancer awareness and eradication and are proud to be affiliated with Ford's Warriors in Pink program," said Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of Grey's Anatomy. "We're committed to the Warrior fighting spirit and urge everyone to play a role in the battle against breast cancer."

With drums banging and faces painted, Warriors in Pink take part in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure events each year. In the last 12 years, Ford and Ford dealers have supported the Komen Foundation with contributions of more than $87 million dollars in donations. For more information on the Warriors in Pink, becoming a warrior, supporting warriors through clothing and gear purchases, and what the symbols they use represent, visit our past post Warriors in Pink: believers survivors fighters.

Fighting for Our Future:How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer. Beth Murphy spent two years studing young women with breast cancer and her book gives young women a valuable resource.

Fighting for Our Future talks about many issues related specifically to women under forty diagnosed with breast cancer. Some of this issues are fertility, pregnancy, negotiating treatment, living with the illness, sexuality and dating. It reaches out to the newly diagnosed and those living with metastatic disease to all in between.

Breast Cancer patients tell their own stories throughout sections of the book. They decribe treatment and procedures and give the real information that the young women need to know.

The Jimmy Fund upped it's total by $2.8 million this Saturday -- thanks to celebrities Donald Trump, Ben Affleck, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jon Cryer, and others who helped raise funds for this cancer-fighting charity through a Boston radio-telethon. Established in 1948 to support cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The Jimmy Fund has been the primary charity for the Boston Red Sox since 1953 and has been the beneficiary of this same radio-telethon for five years now. Since 2002, the telethon has raised more than $5 million to support research and care for both children and adults. This year's goal was to raise $2.6 million. With generous donations, the goal was reached -- and exceeded.

Trump -- who threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Yankees doubleheader on Saturday -- donated $60,000 to the charity. His donation jumped this year's total ahead of last year's $2.3 million. Red Sox owner John Henry donated $30,000, and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gave $10,000. Massachusetts Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry also sent in donations during the 18-hour fundraiser that aims to strike out cancer.